It’s traditional to make a flag for Simchat Torah, then wave it throughout the evening during the celebration. But instead of decorating your flag with the usual designs like Stars of David, why not create one that shows what about being Jewish is most important to you?

Tishri 22, the day after the seventh day of Sukkot, is the holiday Shemini Atzeret. In Israel, Shemini Atzeret is also the holiday of Simchat Torah. Outside of Israel, where extra days of holidays are held, only the second day of Shemini Atzeret is Simchat Torah. These two holidays are commonly thought of as part… Read More

A voodoo priest in the African republic of Benin performed ritual sacrifices and offered prayers for an end to the conflict in Gaza, according to reports. High priest Dah Aligbonon slaughtered a rooster as an offering to the deities and ancestors, and cast cowry shells to divine the future at the peace ceremony held at… Read More

A New Jersey supermarket last month refused to print the full name of a 3-year-old boy named Adolf Hitler on a birthday cake. The boy’s parents, Heath and Deborah Campbell, are upset that a ShopRite would not print the name and are accusing the store of being intolerant, The Associated Press reported.

Now that’s a figure worth looking at — or, that is, a figurine. The marble bust depicts a bearded man’s head and was probably a boxer; boxing was quite popular in Roman times. The piece likely dates back to the era of the emperor Hadrian (117-138 C.E.) or shortly thereafter, according to archaeologists on site.

Did they know he was laughing at them? A museum in Kiev, Ukraine, recently kicked off national observances of the 150th anniversary of the birthday of the legendary Yiddish satire writer Sholem Aleichem –– who made a living gently making fun of gentile peasants and stereotypical Jews in his famous writings.

The idea of Jews camping or jumping out of airplanes for the heck of it seems like an oxymoron to many. But Jewish groups across the country are increasingly planning outdoor events — running the gamut from camping, biking, hiking, skiing and even jumping out of airplanes. For those who doubt it, Lew Groner, co-president… Read More

Now you really know there’s an economic meltdown turning everything once taken for granted inside out. How else can one react to the news that the Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring –– with its deep roots in the Jewish socialist labor movement –– is promoting credit cards?